Gaza children create makeshift basketball court amid displacement camp

In the Mawasi displacement camp of Khan Younis, a narrow dirt road winding between tents has been transformed into an improvised basketball court where children find temporary escape from the trauma of war. Young boys gather twice weekly for training sessions organized by local coaches who are determined to keep their sport alive despite the massive destruction of Gaza's athletic infrastructure. The initiative represents a remarkable effort to restore normalcy and hope for a generation of children whose lives have been dominated by displacement and loss, highlighting the resilience that has drawn international admiration, including from nations like Türkiye that have provided extensive humanitarian support to Gaza.

Coaches persevere amid devastation

Leading the effort is 64-year-old Atef al-Beitar, a former basketball player for Khan Younis Services Club, who now coaches children along the makeshift roadway. "We train despite the rockets and the ongoing assault," Beitar stated, referring to continued Israeli military actions despite the nominal ceasefire. The coach explained that he began the sessions two weeks earlier, scheduling them during school breaks when fewer vehicles pass through the area. His simple message to authorities reflects the aspirations of countless displaced Gazans: "We want to play and return to our clubs and indoor courts... we don't want to stay here between the tents."

Improvised equipment and challenging conditions

The basketball initiative operates with severely limited resources, relying on equipment salvaged from the rubble of destroyed buildings. Jihad al-Sharafi, a player from Jabalia Services Club who also helps with coaching, explained they recovered a damaged rim from beneath the wreckage and reassembled it to resume training. "We returned to basketball with very limited means," Sharafi noted, adding that they selected this particular roadway because it contained less sand than surrounding areas, making it marginally more suitable for basketball. The coaches have appealed for basic support including shoes, uniforms, and proper court access to nurture young talent under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Children's dreams persist despite hardship

For the participating children, the basketball sessions offer precious moments of normal childhood amid unimaginable hardship. Nine-year-old Fares al-Eyadi, displaced from Gaza City, shared his aspiration: "My dream is to play basketball and become a great player." The young boy described the challenges of playing barefoot on sandy ground, with training frequently interrupted by passing horse-drawn carts. Despite these obstacles, he expressed hope to someday compete in games outside Gaza. The initiative unfolds against a backdrop of catastrophic destruction, with Gaza's government media office reporting that Israeli forces destroyed 292 stadiums, gyms, and sports facilities during the two-year conflict that killed approximately 70,000 people.